Library looks to make book check-out available to patrons

— from Phil Heikkinen for Orcas Library —

While we all struggle with the challenges involved with the virus outbreak, at the Orcas Island Library we’re working on every possible means of providing as many resources and services as we can, while still supporting the health of all community members.

Please be sure to explore our online options as described in this newsletter. In addition to Kanopy, we also offer our Washington Anytime Library (ebooks and e-audiobooks), plus a variety of databases and services including language learning and many other resources.

If you like to read actual books, as I do, please stay tuned for more information (I hope soon!) about the option to reserve and pick up books and other materials at a specific time each day. We would plan on quarantining materials for a specific length of time to make sure any virus is no longer viable. We’re still working out the details of how to make the work safely and as conveniently as possible. In the meantime, as your books become due, you may drop them off as usual at the many book returns about the Island, or call and be can renew them for you.

If you or a friend needs home delivery, be sure to contact us, and we will start working on options.

I should remind everyone that our WiFi network is available all around the building. If you don’t have good internet access at home, consider the Library option.

Also, many if not most of you are aware of our community drop, which we offer for people as a way to exchange items with other community members. We hope to restore this service soon too, once we work out ways of making it safe.

Unfortunately, we will need to maintain our cancellation of all meeting room use until we have more assurance about preventing community transmission of the virus.